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Top 10 Cities in Illinois with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in 2026
Are you feeling unfulfilled in your current job but love living in your community? If you’re considering a job change within Illinois, it’s crucial to know about the local job market. In this article, we highlight the cities in Illinois boasting the lowest unemployment rates, providing a clearer picture of job availability in your area.
Many people are drawn to Illinois for various reasons, whether it’s work or lifestyle. If you’re planning to relocate to the state or are already here and on the job hunt, understanding the strength of the job market in different cities is vital.
We analyzed demographic data from the most recent American Community Survey to identify the cities with the lowest unemployment rates. We focused on cities with a population of over 10,000 to ensure we had a robust sample size for our analysis. Here are the top contenders:
- Waterloo(Jobs)
- Western Springs(Jobs)
- St. Charles
- Washington(Jobs)
- Winnetka(Jobs)
- Grayslake(Jobs)
- Prospect Heights(Jobs)
- Morton(Jobs)
- Libertyville(Jobs)
- Plainfield(Jobs)
Waterloo leads the pack with the lowest unemployment rate, making it an attractive destination for job seekers and employers alike. A strong job market signifies a healthy community, which is essential for both residents and businesses.
For further insights about job opportunities in Illinois, explore:
How We Determined the Cities in Illinois with the Lowest Unemployment Rates
To identify the cities with the lowest unemployment rates in Illinois, we focused on areas with populations exceeding 10,000. This analysis resulted in a list of 220 cities across the state.
Using data from the American Community Survey, we ranked these cities based on their unemployment rates. A lower unemployment rate indicates a healthier job market, making it easier for individuals to secure employment, whether they are relocating or transitioning between jobs.
We ranked all the cities, assigning a rank from one to 220, with one being the city with the lowest unemployment rate. In cases of ties, larger cities were given preference.
If your city doesn’t appear in the top ten, scroll down for a detailed chart. Otherwise, let’s dive into the leading cities that exemplify a strong job market.
1. Waterloo
Population: 10,102
Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
Waterloo stands out with an impressive unemployment rate of just 3.1%, solidifying its position as the leading city for job seekers in Illinois.
Being at the top has its perks, including a robust job market for its residents.
2. Western Springs
Population: 13,066
Unemployment Rate: 3.3%
In second place, Western Springs boasts a competitive unemployment rate of 3.3%. This vibrant community is a fantastic option for those looking to secure a job in a healthy market.
3. St. Charles
Population: 33,422
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%
St. Charles rounds out the top three with a commendable unemployment rate of 3.7%, making it an attractive choice for job seekers.
4. Washington
Population: 15,525
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%
Washington ranks fourth, offering a solid job market with a population of 15,525 and an unemployment rate of 3.7%.
5. Winnetka
Population: 12,366
Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
Winnetka takes the fifth spot with an unemployment rate of 3.9% and a population of 12,366, reflecting a strong job environment.
6. Grayslake
Population: 20,863
Unemployment Rate: 4.2%
At #6, Grayslake presents a favorable unemployment rate of 4.2%, indicating good job prospects for its residents.
7. Prospect Heights
Population: 16,344
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
Prospect Heights lands in the seventh position with an unemployment rate of 4.3%, showcasing a dynamic local job market.
8. Morton
Population: 16,493
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
Ranking #8, Morton offers a competitive job market with an unemployment rate of 4.3%, making it a viable option for job seekers.
9. Libertyville
Population: 20,398
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
Libertyville holds the #9 spot, boasting an unemployment rate of 4.3%, which indicates a healthy job market for its residents.
10. Plainfield
Population: 40,641
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
Plainfield rounds out our list at #10 with an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Keep in mind, while it may be last in this ranking, it still stands out among 220 cities.
Summary of Unemployment Across Illinois
In summary, these ten cities represent the best opportunities for employment in Illinois in 2026, with their low unemployment rates reflecting healthy job markets.
If you’re contemplating a move to Illinois, consider focusing your job search in these top ten cities for optimal job prospects.
For more information on employment trends and opportunities across the U.S., visit Zippia. Recent graduates looking to relocate can also check out which states college grads tend to favor.
Here’s a look at cities in Illinois with the highest unemployment rates:
- Dolton
- Harvey
- Riverdale
Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in Illinois
| City | Rank | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo | 1 | 3.1% |
| Western Springs | 2 | 3.3% |
| St. Charles | 3 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 4 | 3.7% |
| Winnetka | 5 | 3.9% |
| Grayslake | 6 | 4.2% |
| Prospect Heights | 7 | 4.3% |
| Morton | 8 | 4.3% |
| Libertyville | 9 | 4.3% |
| Plainfield | 10 | 4.5% |
| Wilmette | 11 | 4.5% |
| River Forest | 12 | 4.5% |
| Huntley | 13 | 4.6% |
| Glenview | 14 | 4.7% |
| Oswego | 15 | 4.7% |
| Normal | 16 | 4.8% |
| Lincolnwood | 17 | 4.8% |
| Northbrook | 18 | 4.9% |
| Deerfield | 19 | 5.0% |
| South Elgin | 20 | 5.1% |
| Chatham | 21 | 5.1% |
| Campton Hills | 22 | 5.2% |
| Burr Ridge | 23 | 5.2% |
| Park Ridge | 24 | 5.2% |
| Highland Park | 25 | 5.2% |
| Yorkville | 26 | 5.3% |
| Elk Grove Village | 27 | 5.4% |
| Mokena | 28 | 5.4% |
| Antioch | 29 | 5.4% |
| Bartlett | 30 | 5.5% |
| Roscoe | 31 | 5.5% |
| Glen Carbon | 32 | 5.5% |
| East Peoria | 33 | 5.6% |
| Wheaton | 34 | 5.7% |
| Bloomingdale | 35 | 5.7% |
| Homer Glen | 36 | 5.7% |
| Barrington | 37 | 5.8% |
| Arlington Heights | 38 | 5.8% |
| Schaumburg | 39 | 5.9% |
| Tinley Park | 40 | 5.9% |
| Lake Forest | 41 | 5.9% |
| Fairview Heights | 42 | 5.9% |
| Wheeling | 43 | 5.9% |
| Hinsdale | 44 | 5.9% |
| Morton Grove | 45 | 6.0% |
| Hoffman Estates | 46 | 6.0% |
| Palatine | 47 | 6.0% |
| Crystal Lake | 48 | 6.0% |
| Shiloh | 49 | 6.1% |
| Elmhurst | 50 | 6.1% |
| Edwardsville | 51 | 6.1% |
| Gurnee | 52 | 6.1% |
| Brookfield | 53 | 6.1% |
| Naperville | 54 | 6.2% |
| Buffalo Grove | 55 | 6.2% |
| Mount Prospect | 56 | 6.2% |
| Frankfort | 57 | 6.2% |
| Norridge | 58 | 6.3% |
| Vernon Hills | 59 | 6.3% |
| La Grange | 60 | 6.3% |
| Bloomington | 61 | 6.3% |
| New Lenox | 62 | 6.3% |
| Swansea | 63 | 6.4% |
| Canton | 64 | 6.4% |
| Westchester | 65 | 6.4% |
| Des Plaines | 66 | 6.4% |
| Sycamore | 67 | 6.5% |
| Marion | 68 | 6.5% |
| North Aurora | 69 | 6.5% |
| Effingham | 70 | 6.5% |
| Roselle | 71 | 6.5% |
| Lake Zurich | 72 | 6.5% |
| Northlake | 73 | 6.5% |
| Bolingbrook | 74 | 6.6% |
| Woodridge | 75 | 6.7% |
| La Grange Park | 76 | 6.7% |
| Pontiac | 77 | 6.7% |
| Downers Grove | 78 | 6.7% |
| Round Lake | 79 | 6.8% |
| Lombard | 80 | 6.8% |
| Darien | 81 | 6.8% |
| Taylorville | 82 | 6.8% |
| Geneva | 83 | 6.9% |
| Wauconda | 84 | 6.9% |
| Orland Park | 85 | 6.9% |
| Romeoville | 86 | 7.0% |
| Palos Hills | 87 | 7.0% |
| Pekin | 88 | 7.0% |
| Channahon | 89 | 7.1% |
| Champaign | 90 | 7.1% |
| Bourbonnais | 91 | 7.2% |
| Carol Stream | 92 | 7.2% |
| Niles | 93 | 7.2% |
| Montgomery | 94 | 7.3% |
| Lake In The Hills | 95 | 7.3% |
| Lindenhurst | 96 | 7.3% |
| Dixon | 97 | 7.3% |
| Evanston | 98 | 7.3% |
| Plano | 99 | 7.4% |
| Moline | 100 | 7.4% |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
